English Industrial Estates Corporation Act 1981

Constitution, status and functions of the Corporation

1 The Corporation

(1) There shall continue to be a body corporate named the English Industrial Estates Corporation (in this Act referred to as " the Corporation ") which shall be charged as respects England with the exercise of the functions conferred on it by the provisions of this Act.

(2) The Corporation shall consist of a chairman and such number of other members as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(3) The members of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall include—

(a) a person appearing to him to have adequate experience of industrial matters;

(b) a person appearing to him to have adequate experience in the organisation of workers ; and

(c) one or more persons appearing to him to have adequate experience in accountancy, building or estate management.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision with respect to—

(a) the appointment, tenure of office and removal of members of the Corporation;

(b) the manner of execution of instruments and of entering into contracts by it and on its behalf; and

(c) the proof of documents executed by it or on its behalf;

and a statutory instrument made in the exercise of this power shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5) The Corporation shall not be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown, or as exempt from any tax, duty, rate, levy or other charge whatsoever, whether general or local; and the property of the Corporation shall not be regarded as the property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.

(6) The provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect in relation to the Corporation.

2 Functions of the Corporation

(1) The Corporation may, in accordance with directions given under subsection (4) below,—

(a) provide, facilitate the provision of, and manage sites and premises in England for occupation by industrial or commercial undertakings;

(b) provide, and facilitate the provision of, means of access, services and other facilities required in connection with sites and premises in England occupied or to be occupied by such undertakings ; and

(c) dispose for any purpose of land and other property held by the Corporation.

(2) Subject to directions given under subsection (4) below, the Corporation may do anything, whether in England or elsewhere, which is calculated to facilitate or is conducive or incidental to the discharge of its functions, and in particular, without prejudice to the generality of the preceding provisions of this subsection, may—

(a) act alone or with other persons, either in partnership or otherwise;

(b) acquire land, plant, machinery and equipment and other property;

(c) form, or acquire interests in, bodies corporate; and

(d) make loans and guarantee obligations (arising out of loans or otherwise) incurred by other persons.

(3) In the preceding provisions of this section references to the provision of premises include references to the carrying out of any works and the provision of any plant, machinery or equipment, on or for the purposes of any premises; and references to an industrial or commercial undertaking include references to any activity providing employment.

(4) The Secretary of State may give the Corporation general or specific directions and the Corporation shall comply with any such directions.

(5) The Corporation shall have power to provide, or assist in the provision of, advisory services in relation to the building of factories or the development or management of industrial estates, both in relation to factories or industrial estates outside Great Britain as well as in England.

(6) If it appears to the Secretary of State that an undertaking is to be, or has been, set up in an area for the time being specified as a development area or intermediate area under section 1 of the [1972 c. 5.] Local Employment Act 1972, and that there are circumstances which justify the giving of special assistance, the Secretary of State may authorise the Corporation to provide premises for the occupation of the undertaking free of rent for such period as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.

(7) In subsection (6) above " undertaking " means any trade or business, or any other activity providing employment.

3 Agency powers of the Corporation

The Corporation may act as agent—

(a) for the Development Commissioners in the carrying out of the functions of the Commissioners in relation to applications for advances under Part I of the [1909 c. 47.] Development and Road Improvement Funds Act 1909 and in relation to the framing of schemes with respect to any of the matters for which such advances may be made; or

(b) for the Secretary of State in the execution of any work in respect of which such an advance is made to him.